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SkinBetter Science / treatment

AlphaRet Overnight Cream dupes

$145 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)Save up to $123.01

Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.

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How it works

A retinoid (ethyl lactyl retinoate) is chemically bonded to lactic acid, so it is said to act as retinoid and AHA together with less irritation than separate retinol. It is combined with glycolic acid, peptides, ceramides, vitamin C and CoQ10 in a moisturizing night cream.

  • Improves the appearance of lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and texture
  • Visible rejuvenation with little-to-no irritation

Key actives

ActiveRoleAmount
Ethyl lactyl retinoate (AlphaRet)Retinoid chemically bonded to lactic acid (double-conjugated retinoid/AHA)undisclosed
Glycolic acidAHA exfoliantundisclosed
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateOil-soluble vitamin Cundisclosed
NiacinamideBarrier and toneundisclosed
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 / tetrapeptide-7Signal peptidesundisclosed
Ceramide NPBarrier lipidundisclosed
Ubiquinone (CoQ10)Antioxidantundisclosed

The dupes

Grouped by price tier; priced products first, then closest match.

budget

Resurfacing Retinol Serum

CeraVe

Match score 62 out of 100
$21.99 · 1 fl ozSave $123.01

Shares

  • Retinol (retinoid)
  • Niacinamide
  • Ceramides
  • Hyaluronic acid

Misses

  • AHA bonded to retinoid
  • Glycolic acid
  • Vitamin C (THD ascorbate)
  • Peptides

Why it is close. Closest budget serum: a true retinoid plus niacinamide and ceramides at about 15 percent of the price. It lacks the AHA component, so pair it with a lactic or glycolic step. Ethyl lactyl retinoate (AlphaRet) is proprietary and not sold in any dupe, so every match is a functional approximation.

Ingredient list source

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budget

Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

RoC

Match score 60 out of 100
~$21.99 Price not confirmed · 1 ozSave ~$123.01

Shares

  • Retinol
  • Glycolic acid
  • Vitamin C

Misses

  • Ethyl lactyl retinoate
  • Ceramides
  • Peptides
  • CoQ10

Why it is close. A night cream that also combines retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C, the nearest active mix at drugstore price. Texture is heavier and irritation risk is likely higher than AlphaRet.

Ingredient list source

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budget

Retinol 24 MAX Night Moisturizer

Olay

Match score 52 out of 100
~$34.99 Price not confirmed · 1.7 ozSave ~$110.01

Shares

  • Retinol
  • Niacinamide
  • Peptides

Misses

  • AHA
  • Ethyl lactyl retinoate
  • Ceramides

Why it is close. Retinol plus niacinamide and a peptide in a moisturizing base. No exfoliating acid, so add one separately.

Ingredient list source

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budget

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

The Ordinary

Match score 42 out of 100
~$12.10 Price not confirmed · 30 ml

Shares

  • Retinoid (HPR plus retinol blend)

Misses

  • AHA
  • Niacinamide
  • Peptides
  • Ceramides

Why it is close. Cheapest way to get an ester-type retinoid. Low-irritation HPR is the nearest chemical cousin, but it has no AHA or supporting actives.

Ingredient list source

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mid Closest we found

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

Paula's Choice

Match score 66 out of 100

No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.

~$65 Price not confirmed · 1 fl ozSave ~$80

Shares

  • Retinol
  • Peptides
  • THD ascorbate (vitamin C)
  • Licorice

Misses

  • AHA
  • Ethyl lactyl retinoate

Why it is close. Mid-tier option with retinol, peptides and THD ascorbate, matching the vitamin C and peptide side of AlphaRet. Costs less than half as much.

Ingredient list source

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Build it from parts

Retinol serum + lactic acid, alternating nights

~$31.19 Price not confirmedSave ~$113.81

How to use. PM only. Cleanse, apply retinol serum on retinoid nights (start 2 nights/week); on the other nights use lactic acid 10% 1-2 times/week instead, never layered the same night. Patch test behind the ear for 48 hours first. Use SPF 30+ every AM.

Why it works. Splits the retinoid and the AHA that AlphaRet delivers in one molecule across alternating nights, for about a fifth of the price.

Night cream + glycolic toner

~$30.99 Price not confirmedSave ~$114.01

How to use. PM only. Night cream 2-3 nights/week building up; glycolic toner on a different night once weekly. Patch test first; skip the toner if skin stings. SPF 30+ every AM.

Why it works. Adds a second glycolic source for texture work at about a fifth of the price.

What the science says

Full ingredient list

Show the INCI list

Aqua/Water, Sodium Glycolate, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Olivate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Ceresin, Glycol Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Superoxide Dismutase, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Allantoin Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Linolenic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-2, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrated Silica, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Source

Questions

What is the best dupe for AlphaRet Overnight Cream?

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment by Paula's Choice is our closest match at 66 out of 100 for ~$65 (1 fl oz). It shares Retinol, Peptides, THD ascorbate (vitamin C), Licorice.

How much can I save on AlphaRet Overnight Cream?

AlphaRet Overnight Cream costs $145 for 1 fl oz (30 ml). The closest dupe costs ~$65, a saving of about $80. Prices change, so check the seller page.

Is CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment exactly the same as AlphaRet Overnight Cream?

No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: AHA, Ethyl lactyl retinoate. See our methodology for how we score.

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